Life's University

Strolling along the promenade on a bitterly cold winter’s day Dressed head to toe in my warm winter coat, only my eyes and nose on display A freezing north easterly bites at my feet As I walk past a man on a bench fast asleep He has all his belongings in a small plastic bag With his dear loyal dog snuggled close, looking sad An empty coffee mug; the remnants of a meal Whatever happened in his life, for him to end up down at heel We are told by those who know, to give them only food and drink So as not to feed addictions, these escapes they surely seek But they need much more than sustenance, such as hope and love I think Those staring eyes, they say it all; lives on the edge; lives on the brink I don’t have any answers for to help these poor lost souls As they sink down even deeper, into life’s deepest black holes My wish would be for them to gain the strength to fight adversity To graduate with honours, from within life’s university So now I will continue always greeting with a smile Self-esteem so very low, a need to make them feel worthwhile They are people just like you and I that life has just forgotten I hope they find life’s happier days, for they are now rock bottom Written 7th November 2018 Contest 135 Sponsor Brian Strand